Bonhomme Richard: Warfighting First, Part 10, what it takes to prepare a US Navy ship for deployment

SASEBO, JAPAN

01.04.2015

Courtesy Story

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron McCulloch
USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan – When forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) pulls into a foreign port, or appears in the media of our allies and enemies, the impression she leaves on the world reflects how much care and hard work has been taken with her. One group of Sailors who puts a lot of care into Bonhomme Richard’s appearance is deck department.

That care extends to more than just the ship’s outward appearance. Deck department Sailor’s diligence and elbow grease of is also responsible for maintaining many other ship functions.

“If deck department can contain corrosion, then it allows us to execute our mission, such as dropping anchor, without worrying about it faulting from rust build up,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Eric Santiago, a Bridgeport, Connecticut, native and deck department’s third division leading petty officer. “If we have to lower small boats, we won’t have to worry about any cleats breaking off or the small boat crane’s wire becoming undone because deck department made sure to tackle all corrosion problems. If we keep the ship looking good and we make sure that our equipment is ready to go then we will make sure that we are mission ready at all times.”

Deck department also helps support of one of our most important missions; transporting of Marines and launching crafts.

“Our well deck is a vital part of the mission every time we go out. It is imperative to have a fully functional well deck,” said Santiago. “At any time, we can get called to launch landing craft air cushions, recover landing craft utilities and launch and recover combat rubber raiding crafts. It’s important to ensure that our well deck is well maintained, debris free and readily accessible.”

With boatswain’s mates in charge of the ship’s well deck, anchor and boats, the training required to run those ship’s functions is essential to the department’s pre-underway planning.

“Training is important aboard Bonhomme Richard because as we work on keeping our equipment mission ready, our minds as well have to be mission ready,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class David Babil, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “We have to recalibrate ourselves by training on numerous evolutions. With the added stress of being away from homeport, it's important for us to stay mission ready at all times.”

Deck department strives to ensure we can sail the seas looking good and displaying Bonhomme Richard’s pride to the world.

“Deck department takes pride in the appearance of the ship,” said Santiago. “We take the saying 'first impression is a lasting impression' to the heart. The first sight seen when coming on the pier is the sides of the ship and deck department prides itself in knowing that any one that sees the sides knows that deck department is on top of the game.”

• Date Taken: 01.04.2015
• Date Posted: 01.04.2015 21:16
• Story ID: 151341
• Location: SASEBO, JP
• Hometown: BRIDGEPORT, CT, US
• Hometown: HARRISBURG, PA, US